Hi Everyone:
I just wanted to chime in and post regarding this trip. For those of you that might have missed the last overnight trip in May or are still on the fence about the value of this trip, let me tell you that this is the trip to be on if you want a chance to get some of the hardest pelagic species to get in Maryland waters without chartering a special boat yourself or somehow finding yourself on a cruise ship heading past the state. I would likely be on this trip again this year if it weren't for the fact that I will be on a trip somewhere else. On August 25th, 2012 Paul ran this trip to the deep waters off the canyon edges east of Ocean City and we had an amazing day. We had many of the birds listed above including Trindade and Black-capped Petrel, all of the storm-petrels (including white-faced) and Arctic Tern. Here's a checklist for that day
http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S11456138 . This is prime time of year for the chance to get White-faced Storm-petrel, though it's never a guarantee.
$225 can be a little steep but for an overnight pelagic that gets you to a chance for some great birds, it can be well worth the expense. There are few opportunities anymore to get out into Maryland waters at most anytime of year. Though storms offshore could create rougher conditions, these seas at this season are often as good as they get for deepwater trips and it's summer so you don't have to worry so much about keeping warm and dry. If Paul continues to have difficulty in filling these trips he will stop chartering them and then the chances of getting out become almost non-existent.
The spring trip on June 4th filled up at the last minute and it turned into a great trip. Ask anyone that was on it and they'll tell you how special that trip was. Keep these trips happening by signing up if you're on the fence. The trip needs to be booked in another week or so or it will cancel out, he can't wait until the 20th to see if they get the bookings.
DIsclaimer - I have no financial interest in Paul's bookings and can't go on this trip. I just feel that it's important to support these trips to keep them alive.
Regards to all,
Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD